Chris O'Donnell - REDF

Our Vision
- Our VisionAn economy that works. for everyone.
- Who We BackWe partner with social entrepreneurs to amplify the success of their businesses and the people they employ.
- How We Do ItWe help our enterprises grow further, faster through a combination of capital, capacity building, and community support.
- ImpactOur partnership accelerates the growth and impact of the enterprises we back.
- InsightsWe evaluate what works and share our learnings to spark action for policy and systems change.
Our Work
- Our WorkWe invest in businesses that reveal and reinforce the talent of people breaking through barriers to employment.
- AcceleratorA six-month cohort-based learning experience for leaders of early-stage enterprises to springboard growth.
- Growth PortfolioA multi-year investment in growth-stage employment social enterprises to help them scale sustainably.
- Impact InvestingFlexible loan capital for employment social entrepreneurs whose lived expertise is their collateral.
- Gov. Partnerships & PolicyAdvocacy and public sector partnerships to advance the field.
- CommunityCurated space and resources to help our social enterprise partners connect, grow, and lead.
- WorkshopREDFworkshop is an open, free virtual capacity building toolbox to help you build, grow, and sustain high-impact employment social enterprises.
Investments
About
- AboutWe envision a thriving and inclusive society where all people have the jobs and the support they need to realize their full potential.
- Mission & CultureIt’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it that matters.
- Our PeopleWe’re a motley crew of leaders and learners dedicated to building an economy that works. For everyone.
- CareersKnowing your work is improving lives is not the only benefit of the job. View opportunities to join our team.
- Farber FellowshipGrad students bring cutting-edge skills and passion to help employment social enterprises reach their full potential.
- SupportersOur generous funders and individual donors make this work possible.
- HistorySince 1997, REDF has been using business as a force for good.
- FinancialsREDF achieves the highest levels of accountability and transparency.
News

Chris O’ Donnell has been acting professionally since the early 1990’s. He appeared in major motion pictures including Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), Scent of a Woman (1992), Mad Love (1995), and Vertical Limit (2000). Mr. O’ Donnell earned much of his fame from his acting roles in NCIS: Los Angeles (2009-present) and Batman (1997). He took an interest in philanthropy using his celebrity to bring attention to important social concerns. In 2000, Mr. O’ Donnell participated in a golf event, raising over $500,000 for the Motion Picture and Television Fund. He was featured in a video for America Wants You campaign in 2012, urging companies to think about the 800,000 unemployed veterans first when making hiring decisions.

Mr. O’ Donnell was born in Winnetka, Illinois. He attended Loyola Academy (Chicago) and UCLA and graduated from Boston College in 1992 with a BA in marketing. Aside from his current involvement in acting and philanthropy, Mr. O’Donnell is also dedicated to spending time with his wife and five children. He joined REDF’s board in 2013.